Staying active an hour before or after work counteracts the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, even when sitting for eight hours.
Staying active during your free time pays off. This good habit of life makes it possible to counter the deleterious effects of a sedentary lifestyle at work. A review of studies, published in a special edition of Lancet, confirms the validity of the recommendations in this area. A person who sits eight hours a day can reduce their risk of premature death if they get one hour of physical activity daily.
Only 25% very active
On the eve of the Olympic Games in Rio (Brazil), which begin on August 5, a specialized commission from Lancet looked at the state of the planet in terms of physical activity. A first study showed the colossal cost of a sedentary lifestyle, which has reached the stage of a global epidemic. In 2013, it weighed $ 67.5 billion on the international economy, mainly in health spending but also in lost productivity.
However, it is possible to act in prevention, by increasing physical activity for example. A visibly rewarding habit: the benefits exceed best expectations, according to the study review conducted by the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences.
The researchers gathered data on a million people, all from a Westernized – and therefore rather sedentary – society. This set was separated into four groups based on physical activity, from 5 minutes or less, to 60-75 minutes or more. Only 25% of participants reached this level.
Cycling to work
The most active people derive real benefit from their motivation. People who move the least are 12 to 59% more at risk of premature death. On the other hand, an hour of brisk walking or cycling reduces to nothing the deleterious effects of a professional sedentary lifestyle. Even those who remained seated 8 hours a day are affected by this finding. They are therefore less exposed to the risks of prolonged immobility than workers who stay behind their desks for less time.
“Our message is positive: it is possible to reduce, or even eliminate, these risks by remaining sufficiently active, even without having to play sports or go to the gym”, summarizes Professor Ulf Ekelund, who signs this work. One hour a day seems overwhelming for workers who work long hours and often spend long periods in public transport, or driving.
The researcher recommends a few simple actions to balance the situation: a short walk at lunchtime, a jog in the morning, or a bike ride to the workplace. These alternatives are in any case preferable to television, a marker of inactivity often used because it facilitates prolonged sedentary lifestyle. When more than 5 hours of the day are devoted to the small screen, the risk of early mortality is increased, even in the most active categories.
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